Hundreds of thousands expected to view 46th edition of spectacular pyrotechnics show

Cincinnati’s iconic Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks, part of the city’s Riverfest festivities and the unofficial end of summer, is set for Sunday night. You can go in person downtown or in Northern Kentucky, or catch it on WKRC-TV Local 12 with the WEBN soundtrack pegged to the explosions provided by Rozzi Fireworks.

The crowd estimates have ranged from 250,000 to 500,000 in recent years. Riverfest was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the televised fireworks show occurred in another location. The festivities returned to downtown last year.

Riverfest will kick off at noon at Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove, with WEBN-FM (102.7) broadcasting from the Broadcast Bunker, sponsored by the U.S. Army. The annual fireworks show, which began in 1977, will be launched from the Ohio River starting just after 9 p.m. It is considered one of the Midwest’s largest fireworks displays.

Typically, hundreds of boaters on the Ohio River put down their anchors in unrestricted areas to get a good view of the fireworks. The Coast Guard closes the river to all traffic in the area where the fireworks are launched from noon Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday.

Saving your spot on Serpentine Wall

You can reserve a spot on Serpentine Wall by placing a tarp starting at noon Sunday. Anything placed before noon will be removed and destroyed. Use painter tape, gaffer tape or masking tape to secure the tarp — no duct tape, rocks, bricks or sand.

Riverfest West

Cincinnati Parks is sponsoring Riverfest West from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mount Echo Park, 251 Mount Echo Park Drive, off Elberon Avenue, in East Price Hill. Food, kids activities and live entertainment — Acoustic Abuse and Marsha Brady — will be available at the premier fireworks-viewing location.

Downtown spectator rules

For those heading downtown to view the fireworks, all people entering the park property are subject to a visual inspection and a bag inspection to search for prohibited items. Oversized bags, luggage and backpacks are not permitted; purses, diaper bags and other small personal bags are allowed after an inspection.

According to the Riverfest website, guests might be asked to leave for unruly conduct; use of illegal substances or drugs; disruptive behavior; use of profane, obscene or abusive language of any type; possession of illegal or unauthorized items inside the venue; participating in a fight; or any action that, in the opinion of management, places other guests in danger or reduces their enjoyment of the event.

Prohibited items: large bags, backpacks and luggage; weapons including knives, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, etc.; outside food and beverage (empty plastic reusable bottles are permitted); alcohol; illegal drugs; cans, glass, or metal containers; animals/pets (except service animals); aerosol cans; balloons, beach balls or other inflatable items; fireworks or incendiary devices of any kind; musical instruments; noise-making devices such as whistles, air horns, etc.; skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, etc.; tools; pamphlets, flyers, handbills, etc. (unless approved by management); any other items deemed inappropriate or unacceptable by management.

City traffic plans

The City of Cincinnati says most downtown streets will remain open throughout the day. Several streets have lane restrictions due to ongoing construction zones. The city maintains a Traffic Alerts website for up-to-date information.

The city advises: “Know where to go. Arrive early. Use public transportation when possible. Know where to go.”

Access to the riverfront will be limited to pedestrians. Third Street, and all streets north of Third Street, will be open so that people can access points throughout downtown. On-street parking will not be available throughout the downtown area south of Ninth Street after 11 a.m. Sunday.

Closures include:

• The Purple People Bridge will be closed for the fireworks.
• The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, the John A. Roebling Bridge and the Taylor Southgate Bridge will close at 6 p.m. to vehicles and pedestrians (pedestrians may cross on the west side of the Taylor Southgate Bridge until 7:30 p.m.).
• Local access to the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (I-471) from Ohio will close at 7 p.m.
• The Third Street exit from westbound Columbia Parkway will close at 9 p.m.
• The Third Street exit from southbound 71 will close at 9 p.m.

Parking is available in many lots and garages north of Third Street. Additional parking lots are located north and west of Paul Brown Stadium. Cash parking will be available in Riverfront surface lots in the vicinity of Paul Brown Stadium on a limited first-come, first-served basis.